JANUARY WORKSHOP REVIEW

Australian Reverse Piano Hinge Binding. Dianne Byington took all of those words and showed us how this deceptively simple book structure could be used in a multitude of ways. We brought nothing more than 4 rectangles of card stock folded in half and a 4 1/2 x 3" scrap of cardstock for hinge pins. The basic book was shown on the first page of the January newsletter.

To begin, Dianne handed out an instruction sheet that included detailed step-by-step instructions as well as a page with color photographs of the general steps to make the structure. Three of the cardstock pages would serve as signatures, the fourth would serve as a cover, and the small paper would serve as a hinge pin (which slips into a tab to hold the book together). Dianne supplied additional paper for the hinge (which acts as the spine and holds the signatures together). She had a table of samples using different materials, various configurations of the hinge itself, and varieties of hinge pins from paper to twigs.

The table was filled with different samples. The fuschia sample used punches
on the exposed hinge paper to give interest. The tiny blue book is made from tyvek.
 (Note: you can tap on the photograph and it will open in another tab where you can see a larger image.)

This sample is a book of shoes. The hinge pins are extended and curled to create
fireworks. The tabs holding the binding together are shaped and exposed
 for additional drama on the outside of the structure.

On the left is "My Book of Hinge Pins" with a cover to hide the hinge
(see below for another view). The blue book shows the hinge that has used
a water like paper punch on both pins and hinge.

"My Book of Hinge Pins" has pockets inside the book. The nature of the hinge
 allows thicker items added to the pages without causing the book to fan open.

This book signatures are not cardstock but rather text weight paper.
Photos have been attached to the hinge tabs.

We gathered around Dianne's table and watched as she demonstrated the steps to make the structure. We picked up the instruction sheets and other materials and started on our own books.

Dianne showing how the hinge tabs are formed.

This is the instruction for scoring and folding the hinge strip.
Note that the measurements are not consistent. We are making a working sample
 showing different size hinge tabs.

This is the folded hinge strip. The first and last flap will be connected
to the covers. The three mountain folds are inserted into a slit
 in the signatures and the page slides all the way to the valley fold.
This hinge becomes an open ended tab that will accept a hinge pin
to stabilize the page and the structure.

The red is the signature and a slit has been cut in the valley fold.
The white is the hinge and the mountain fold of the hinge is inserted from
 the outside to the inside becoming a tab for the hinge pin.

In this photo, the hinge tab is already in position and,
instead of a piece of paper for a hinge pin,
we inserted a popsicle stick to fill the tab and stabilize the signature.

Materials can completely change the look of the structure.
Our member is using paper with a different design on each side of the page.

In this sample, the hinge pin is simply adhered to the outside of the signature.

Another option for a cover is to use the fourth signature as a cover.
The fold of that signature is at the fore edge and the open side is at the spine.
Sandwich the hinge flap between the cover and it disappears.

After we were done, Dianne gave us another hinge and small stick
that was somewhat irregular. She demonstrated how to use a piece of text weight paper
 to measure a tab for an irregular hinge pin.

Show and Tell Table

At each meeting, we have three extra tables. One is the "Show and Tell" table. If we are playing with a new technique, finished a piece not in the exchange and want to talk about it, displaying a preview of the next month's workshop or an announcement or article, we have a place to put it. We usually announce those things before the exchange takes place.

"Into the Fold" is a full page newspaper article about origami classes that three of our members are taking.

Another member is experimenting with collage on recycled children's books. (Tap on the photo to see the detail.)

This lovely accordion card of flowers with cut-outs is lovely. 

This is a really TINY miniature book. 

The second table is interesting. Whether you are close enough to attend our meetings or are one of our distant members, you probably do the same as we do, you share. Those things go on our "FreeBee" table. Take what you like. Bring something if you like.

Since our next meeting is a valentine workshop making cards for shut-ins,
 card blanks were available. Calendars, brochures, magazines, containers and much
 more all find their way to the table.

The last table is very different. We have received donations from members
that are simply more valuable. So we put them on the table and they are for sale.
No prices, no one to watch to see what you pay. Just the change box and the items.
You decide what it is worth you and you make your own change.
Sometimes we have books, book blanks, finished projects, specialty papers
or even a calligraphy set. They all find a home and
the guild treasury has a bit to offset postage and the other expenses we incur.

See you next month!